Mara Wilson was a go-to child actress in the early ’90s, memorably starring in movies such as “Matilda” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” (“We’re his goddamn kids too.”). Today, she’s popping up all over the place – not in films, but at storytelling events around the city. She hosts her own this weekend in Brooklyn, with the title “What Are You Afraid Of?” I asked her a few questions about it for the Brooklyn Paper, including, of course, what she’s afraid of.

In college I made it somewhat of a mission to check out Balkan brass bands and parties like they’d throw at Mehanata or Barbes. It just seemed like a good time. No surprise that the Golden Festival, a celebration of Balkan music and dance, has been going strong for nearly 30 years. I spoke with one of the organizers for the Brooklyn Paper in advance of the weekend fest to get a sense of why it’s so enduring. Short answer: it’s a lot of fun.

Jalopy in Red Hook is the place for roots music almost any night of the week. But that’s especially so this week, thanks to a 20-plus musician showcase put together by Ken Waldman, aka “Alaska’s Fiddling Poet.” I previewed the variety show for the Brooklyn Paper to get a sense of what exactly to expect.

This Elvis birthday bash at Radio Bushwick is truly fit for a king. In one night, you can hear four rockabilly bands (including the Screamin’ Rebel Angels, pictured) and participate in a Elvis-themed dance, costume and trivia contests. I talked with the producer in advance of the party for the Brooklyn Paper.

Some time ago, Seth Olenick started taking pictures of comedians for a photography book. What started out as a six-month project and 30 comedians turned into more than six years and 200 comedians. I talked to the Greenpoint photographer for the Brooklyn Paper on some of the big names in the book and how it all came together.

The last place you probably want to be right now is outside for an extended period of time. But the one-day Make Music Winter festival might just drag you out. I rounded up all the parades happening in Brooklyn for the Brooklyn Paper, including Philip Kline’s boom box-based work “Peregine.”

According to the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, there’s a record number of productions of “The Nutcracker” happening in the city right now. They all aren’t traditional, either. At Galapagos Art Space, “The Nutcracker Suite” incorporates burlesque, Massive Attack, aerial acts, and more. You can find even more options for the holiday classic in Brooklyn here.